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(11) | EP 1 024 389 A3 |
(12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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(54) | Optical switch and optical switch systems |
(57) There is disclosed an array type space optical switch (10) of the present invention,
in which each one end of optical fibers (101a to 104a,101b to 104b) is fixed to support
members (105a,105b). A space propagation part (200) is formed between the end surfaces
of the optical fibers (101a to 104a and 101b to 104b). An interrupting plate is inserted
to or extracted from the space propagation part (200). An optical element for collimating
a light passed through the space propagation part (200) may be disposed in the space
propagation part (200). In other embodiments the optical fiber ends are moved for
the switching or an optical amplifier is used for the switching. A matrix type cross-connect
optical switch is also disclosed. |